This week's live TNA Impact opened with a video package documenting recent events, including Sting beating Matt Morgan to become #1 contender, D-Lo Brown failing in his quest to eliminate Kurt Angle, and the set-up for a Team TNA vs. Team Aces & Eights six-man tag tonight.

Live from Tupelo, Mike Tenay and Todd Keneley plugged the top matches of the show. Then, Sting's music played to bring out the #1 contender to the TNA Title. Sting was flanked by Kurt Angle, who smiled at the favorable reaction for Sting. As Sting and Angle hit the ring, Taz complained about Sting on commentary.

In the ring, Sting howled before plugging his title shot at Slammiversary on June 2. Sting said Bully Ray succeeded in fooling everyone to become World champion, so his goal is to show up at the PPV and strip Ray of his power by taking the title from him. But, he doesn't want to wait until June 2, which is why he asked Hulk Hogan to book a six-man tag tonight. And, when you want to assemble a team, you go for the best of the best, which is why he started with Angle.

Angle spoke next that he made D-Lo Brown's ass tap out and he forced him to say, "I quit," last week. Angle then brought up A.J. Styles before calling him down to the ring because he has something to ask him. Styles's music played, then Styles walked out on-stage dressed in his black leather jacket, black t-shirt, and jeans. Styles walked to the ring without stopping to look to his left and right, then stood in-between Sting and Angle.

Angle closed the gap by getting in Styles's face to ask where he stands. Styles just stared a hole through Angle, who held the mic up to Styles for an answer, but Styles did not offer one. Angle said he's tired of asking, so he's demanding that Styles answer. Sting then stepped in to separate Angle from Styles's face. Sting said he's been in A.J.'s shoes feeling like he was wronged and he hid out in the rafters for a while, so all A.J. has to do is do the right thing. Sting pointed to the fans, saying that roar is the House that A.J. Styles Built.

Sting said he knows Styles wants to do the right thing tonight taking out Aces & Eights, so they should make it happen in The House. Sting extended his hand, but A.J. wasn't buying. Angle then screamed in Styles's face that he's tired of this crap. In the background, Sting sold exasperation that Angle wasn't following his talking points. Styles then left the ring after being yelled at by Angle.

As Styles left, Angle chased him down and turned him around. Styles stuck his finger in Angle's face, then removed his jacket, and the two men started fighting on the ramp. Taz was loving this. Refs eventually spilled out to try to separate Angle and A.J. as Aces & Eights snuck into the ring. Sting never saw it coming, as Ray and Devon dropped him with a 3D. Angle finally got wind of this, then ran back to the ring to chase away Aces & Eights. Keneley said TNA needs to get on the same page, or else it's going to be a rough night.

[Commercial Break]

Moments Ago: Styles and Angle brawled on the entrance ramp, then Team 3D dropped Sting with a 3D.

Backstage: The roving cameraman caught up with Styles to ask if he's really leaving, and leaving those guys high and dry. Styles stopped, checked his lip, didn't say anything, and kept on walking before slamming open a back-door to exit.

[Q2] In-ring: Tara was introduced along with Jessie for Knockouts tag action. Gail Kim was out next as TNA replayed Gail trying to injure Taryn Terrell last week on Impact. Hardcore Country then brought out Mickie James, followed by Knockouts champion Velvet Sky.

As the match started, Keneley plugged the news of Impact moving back to 9:00 p.m. EST starting May 30. In the ring, the heels quickly isolated Mickie. The match built to Velvet tagging in to drop Tara with In Your Face for the pin and the win. Velvet, still selling her knee injury, celebrated with Mickie before leaving the ring.

After the match, Gail was not pleased with Tara, prompting Gail to drop her tag partner. Gail then tried to finish Tara a la Taryn last week by wrapping Tara's knee around the ringpost. This brought over ODB, who pulled Gail away and drove her away from ringside.

WINNERS: Sky & Mickie at 3:30.

Backstage: Aces & Eights were shown celebrating a 3D on Sting and A.J. Styles walking away. D-Lo Brown then solemnly walked into the meeting, which he was not informed about. Brown tried to get a word with the group, but they walked away, leaving Brown alone to contemplate how he let the group down last week. The camera stayed on Brown uncomfortably collecting his thoughts before Impact cut to break.

[Commercial Break]

Locker Room: James Storm was sitting down in a chair with his face covered by his cap. Daniels and Kazarian then brought in a case of beer to remind Storm of what Bobby Roode did to him back in the day, not to influence his refereeing. Of course. Kaz told Storm to think about it and Daniels told him to do the right thing. Storm looked down at the beer and popped the top off to start drinking, continuing the theme of drunk referees in TNA.

[Q3] In-ring: Aces & Eights were introduced to the ring. Bully Ray stopped to hug Taz before Ray bullied Keneley. Taz suggested that they would kill him, then Aces & Eights hit the ring. D-Lo Brown was with the group, but pouting in the background. Ray then took the mic and introduced the group to boos.

Ray then got down to business vowing to defeat Kurt Angle, Sting, and their big mystery partner. Ray said they know it won't be Styles, then offered a warning to any other wrestlers looking to be the hero tonight. Ray then got to his next point of business - D-Lo Brown. Brown tried to put on a brave face as Ray began dressing him down. Ray then told Brown to remove his colors right now. Brown shook his head, "no," prompting Ray to ask if he understood him correctly. Ray repeated his order, then Brown took the mic and said this is his life. "No," he said. So, other group members took the jacket from Brown. Mr. Anderson then yelled in Brown's face that he said he quit last week, and this club is not for quitters.

Ray screamed in Brown's face that he let everyone down and now he's going to "cry about it like a b----." Ray asked Brown how he's going to earn his stripes again. Brown said he will kick Magnus's ass for the club. Ray told Brown he's flapping his gums again, then told Brown to go sit with the timekeeper and watch D.O.C. fight Magnus. Ray told Brown that he better hope D.O.C. gets the job done. Ray took the group out of the ring, then Magnus's music played to bring out D.O.C.'s opponent.

[Commercial Break]

2 -- MAGNUS vs. D.O.C. -- D-Lo Brown sitting by the timekeeper

TNA pulled a WWE by joining the match already in progress. Keneley reviewed earlier match action before going to a live shot of D.O.C. big-booting Magnus in the gut as Brown paced ringside. Isn't he supposed to be sitting by the timekeeper? Apparently he doesn't take instruction well. In the ring, Magnus swung elbows to D.O.C.'s gut to break free of a headlock, but D.O.C. maintained control.

Magnus made a comeback before clotheslining D.O.C. to the mat. Magnus fired himself up as fans jumped up and down in the stands. He then climbed to the top rope, but D.O.C. popped him in the mouth before attempting a superplex, but Magnus blocked and shoved D.O.C. to the mat. Magnus delivered an elbow to the gut, but D.O.C. kicked out in-time. Brown then dragged Magnus to the floor, but Magnus smashed Brown into the ring steps.

Magnus re-entered the ring and put Magnus on his shoulders for what appeared to be a flapjack. It was only good for a two count, though. Brown then accidentally grabbed D.O.C.'s feet, thinking he was grabbing Magnus's feet. This allowed Magnus to roll up D.O.C. for a pin and the win. Post-match, Brown freaked out before having a shoving match with D.O.C. Taz said Bully Ray is going to be really mad after this.

WINNER: Magnus at 4:11 of what was shown. It's come to the point where the non-credible Team TNA babyfaces can only get wins over the non-credible Aces & Eights heels when...D-Lo Brown interference back-fires.

Still to come: Main Event six-man tag. Up next, it's the #1 contender match to the TNA Tag Titles.

[Commercial Break] [Q4...]

[...Q4] Backstage: D.O.C. barged through a back-door to confront D-Lo Brown, who was being screamed at by Bully Ray. The A&E members held down Brown to perform unspeakable actions to him, but Mr. Anderson calmed everyone down. Anderson said he has an idea for Brown to do a job perhaps he can do. Ray said he will fetch beer and wash their bikes from now on because he's a Prospect now.

Pre-tape Backstage: Hulk Hogan. Hogan was shown hobbling toward Angle and Sting to pitch himself as the third member of their team, but Sting reminded Hogan that he can't wrestle, per his doctor. Hogan said they're right, but he got a phone call from a wild-card today. Angle wanted to make sure it's a sure-deal, then Sting pitched Magnus after what he did out there. Hogan and Sting agreed that Magnus is on-fire, but Hogan said he wants to check with his wild-card first. The characters do know that Magnus won only because D-Lo's interference back-fired, right? Not exactly "on-fire" presentation.

Backstage: James Storm was shown walking down the hallway sporting a referee t-shirt. Bobby Roode apologized for his jealousy in Beer Money, which Storm accepted, but then turned Aries and Roode against each other. Storm walked off, leaving Aries and Roode to argue amongst themselves.

In-ring: James Storm was introduced as the special referee for the #1 contender tag match. Storm came out on-stage and took a swig of beer before Impact cut to break.

SECOND HOUR COVERAGE CONTINUES...

Alert: We're looking for your 0-10 score and comments on this show for an "Impact Reax" feature on PWTorch.com. To contribute your thoughts on Impact, email to pwtorch@gmail.com.

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